RICHO’S TOP 10: Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald being arrested for drunken hijinks in the USA overblown

1. Boys will be boys was my first reaction to the revelation of Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald being arrested in the US before Christmas.

In fact, I had a chuckle when I learnt they took a scissor lift for a joyride after a few ales. Let’s be honest they haven’t committed a serious offence here. While they will have both been contrite having to call the club and explain their predicament, they have hardly sent the club into meltdown. Moore has lost the vice-captaincy. It’s a disappointment personally for him but with his character he will respond with another good season, I am sure. So now that the story has broken and is done and dusted, I still think boys will be boys. With 800 young men playing AFL occasionally a scissor lift will be hijacked! Or even a golf cart which I witnessed being taken for a joyride at a casino in Vegas in 1996. I’m glad that was 30 years ago. It would make the front page now.

2. Sam Docherty didn’t mince his words when dissecting the Blues’ poor result against the Swans.

As we all know his expletive ridden tirade was broadcast by Dan Gorringe without his consent, but he did not shy away from it once aired. “When the game’s hot and contested and pressurised, Carlton is good in that environment, but as soon as some team can do somewhat good in the contest, the rest of the game just f...in’ falls to pieces,” he said. Strong analysis indeed about his former teammates. But a lot of Carlton fans and football analysts would say it’s pretty fair. They do lose the same way over and over again. The part that got lost in this is that Docherty had said all of this on air on 3AW the night of the game minus the f-bombs. It was exactly what played out in the second half of this game. Gorringe has apologised and Doc was barred from Carlton functions until round six. A week on it really feels like a massive over reaction all round. Dan and Sam are great mates and both former Carlton players. If they are prepared to speak about the Blues this openly and in Docherty’s case with a bit of passion, then it could be a sign of bigger issues at Carlton. After blowing a 42-point lead to Richmond last year the Blues must bounce back against them tonight. I can’t wait for tonight at a packed MCG. Surely the young Tigers couldn’t do it again?

3. What a start the Suns made to the season smacking the Cats.

They should be 4-0 with the Eagles, Tigers and Dees to come. Twelve first-round picks played in the opening game and that’s without Matt Rowell, Jed Walter and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. JUThis is as stacked a team as you can get. Weapons everywhere. The thing Dimma Hardwick would like the most is the dynamic forward half mids he has in Christian Petracca and Bailey Humphrey. He knows as well as any coach how valuable these types of players are. Think Dusty Martin from 2017 to 2020. In fact, the way the Suns played reminded me of those Richmond teams. Contest, pressure, force turnover and then punish with wave running and forward handball. It overwhelms the opposition. It’s only one game, but the signs are enormous for the Suns.

4. Fremantle kick off their season this Saturday down at Geelong.

What an opportunity to make a big statement. This team now has everything it needs to be a serious contender. A win at the Cattery would confirm what most people think. The time is now. They are strong across all lines and there doesn’t appear to be any holes in this squad now. The only criticism would be their style of play. It’s time to unleash the shackles and play aggressive assertive footy and with a bit more pace on the ball. There have been a few false Flagmantle dawns in the past. This one feels like it’s got more substance.

5. I think from the very small sample size we have seen the rule changes look good for the game.

Plenty of goals. Six of the 10 teams that played scored 95 points or more. With the ball being thrown up in the middle it’s creating some really quick clean breaks from the centre. It’s exciting footy. The only rule that still infuriates me is the stand rule. It’s here to stay, but I believe it’s still inconsistent in its interpretation from the umpires. The AFL needs to get this right in a hurry.

6. Could this finally be the year of the Dogs.

They have been perennial slow starters. Last year they were 2-8 against top-8 teams. So, to beat the back-to-back premiers at the Gabba in opening round was a massive way to open the season. Surely a top-four finish is on the cards. I loved the Bont spending a bit more time forward and kicking three goals. Ed Richards is at the peak of his powers. Darcy and Naughton are just about the best key forward duo in the competition. The only question has been their ability to defend against the best opposition. But that might not matter with the attacking arsenal they possess.

7. I wrote in this column last week that Father Time is undefeated in reference to Collingwood.

Well, their superstar Scott Pendlebury is giving it a good nudge. This is his 21st season and he continues to defy logic. Playing mostly as a forward last Sunday night, he had his first five goal assist game. The extra player on the bench could end up being a huge blessing for players like Pendles. Starting the quarters on the bench and coming on once a little of the initial heat is out of each quarter could be his future. With his smarts this is a great role for Scott. Great coaching from Craig McRae.

8. Gotta love nicknames at footy clubs.

There have been so many good ones over the years. I heard up on the Gold Coast Friday night that the Suns boys are calling Matt Rowell “Chubbs Peterson” after the classic character from Happy Gilmore. Chubbs famously had his hand bitten off by an alligator. Had it replaced with a wooden hand. Rowell has his injured hand in a plastic cast at the moment. Gee this made me laugh. As my old man used to say, “small things amuse small minds”. One of my favourite nicknames at Richmond in my playing days was Matt “mini hands” Rogers. If you ever meet him and shook hands with him, you will know why.

9. I’ve loved the grand final entertainment recently.

The Killers, Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, KISS and Snoop Dogg were all great. None of those super acts are Australian artists though. Surely it is time to showcase the incredible artists and music we produce right here in Australia. I’m right behind this idea and so is @_saveourarts on Instagram. Check it out if you agree. We have some amazing new talent who could be showcased alongside established international acts like Tame Impala and Amyl and the Sniffers. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.

10. I have written this before about the genius of Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

Big call but he could be the best coach in Australia if not the world. To be able to continually get the best out of players and doing so when he seems to lose a big star every post season is insane. Ryan Papenhuyzen left this last post season. The Storm have now won 23 straight in their season opening games. No this is not a typo. His ability to have his team ready to go every year is unmatched. There couldn’t be many teams in world sport with an opening season record like that.